Afrobeats Head

Category: Celebrity News

  • Wizkid, Mavo, Ayra Starr and others nominated for the 2026 headies

    Wizkid, Mavo, Ayra Starr and others nominated for the 2026 headies

    The Headies has unveiled the nominees for its 18th edition, with Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Mavo, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake and several of Nigeria’s leading artists featuring across the categories.

    The nominations were announced on Tuesday, August 25, ahead of the ceremony, which will take place on October 25 in Toronto, Canada. The 18th edition is themed “Africa to the World,” marking another international outing for the Nigerian music awards.

    Wizkid is among the most nominated artists this year, picking up six nominations. His 2024 album Morayo is in contention for Afrobeats Album of the Year, while he is also nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste and Headies’ Viewers’ Choice. His collaborations with Asake on “MMS” and “Jogodo” are nominated for Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year respectively.

    Ayra Starr has five nominations, including Song of the Year for “Hot Body”, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Female Artiste, Best Performer (Live) for her Global Citizen Festival 2025 performance, and Headies’ Viewers’ Choice.

    The nominations also give significant recognition to Mavo, who is shortlisted for Next Rated alongside Fido, Fola, Llona and Shoday. He is also nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year and Best Male Artiste.

    Fola is another prominent name among the emerging acts, earning nominations for Next Rated, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Best R&B Album for Catharsis, and categories recognising his songs “You” and “Who Does That?”.

    Elsewhere, Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You” is nominated for Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year, while Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness competes for Afrobeats Album of the Year. Burna Boy is also nominated for Best Male Artiste, with “Bundle by Bundle” receiving an Afrobeats Single of the Year nomination.

    The Song of the Year category brings together Kunmie’s “Arike”, “Hey Jago” by Poco Lee, Shoday and Rahman Jago, Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body”, Fido’s “Joy Is Coming”, Asake and Wizkid’s “MMS”, and Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You”.

    For Afrobeats Single of the Year, the nominees are Rema’s “Fun”, Asake and Wizkid’s “Jogodo”, Shallipopi’s “Laho”, Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You”, Fola’s “You”, and Burna Boy’s “Bundle by Bundle”.

    The 2026 nominations follow an eligibility period covering music released between August 1, 2024 and April 30, 2026.

    The 18th Headies will hold on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.

  • A fan pinched Ayra Starr to confirm she’s real

    A fan pinched Ayra Starr to confirm she’s real

    Meeting your favourite artist can be surreal. For one Ayra Starr fan, the moment apparently required a little physical verification.

    During Ayra Starr’s “Starrgirl” fan signing pop-up in Camden, London, a fan shared a TikTok showing herself embracing the singer before pinching her.

    Ayra immediately winced in pain, seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected pinch, while the fan appeared to be confirming that the singer was, in fact, real.

    The interaction has since made its rounds online, turning what was already a memorable fan encounter into a particularly funny one.

    Ayra was in Camden for the “Starrgirl” fan signing, with footage from the event showing her meeting fans and signing copies of her latest album.

    The Camden appearance forms part of the rollout for Starrgirl, Ayra’s third studio album, which was released in August 2026. The project continues the singer’s evolution from the breakout success of “Rush” into one of Afrobeats’ most recognisable young stars.

    For this fan, though, meeting Starrgirl wasn’t quite enough. She needed to make sure the Starrgirl in front of her wasn’t a very convincing hologram.

    And apparently, a pinch was the best way to find out.

  • Blaqbonez reveals how his feud with Odumodublvck began over a woman they had both been intimate with

    Blaqbonez reveals how his feud with Odumodublvck began over a woman they had both been intimate with

    Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez has opened up about the events that led to his feud with fellow rapper Odumodublvck, revealing that he discovered the woman he had been intimate with was dating the rapper.

    Speaking on the Nevon Podcast, Blaqbonez said he was unaware that the woman was in a relationship with Odumodublvck because he had never asked who else she was seeing.

    According to him, the situation began when the woman sent him a message saying she could no longer continue their friendship. Blaqbonez said he felt the message was “performative” and believed she was trying to make it appear as though he was the one holding on to the relationship.

    He eventually asked her directly who she was dating and discovered she was with Odumodublvck.

    Blaqbonez said he chose to respect their relationship and walk away.

    “You guys won’t hear from me again. I will respect everything that you guys have. Peace,” he recalled telling her.

    However, he said the situation escalated when Odumodublvck contacted him shortly afterwards and asked whether he had been intimate with the woman.

    Blaqbonez said he refused to provide details because he did not want to interfere with their relationship.

    “I don’t know what she told you, so I can’t answer this question and affect anything that you guys have,” he recalled telling Odumodublvck.

    According to Blaqbonez, Odumodublvck then responded: “Then we are enemies since you are not telling me. Peace out, bro.”

    Blaqbonez described his relationship with the woman as a “friends with benefits” arrangement rather than a formal relationship.

    “I can’t say we were dating or anything. It wasn’t official, but like, the best term to describe it would be like friends with benefits, right? Because we kind of like, were friends and we were intimate,” he said.

    He said he subsequently asked Odumodublvck when his relationship with the woman had started, believing that the timeline would clarify whether there had been any overlap.

    According to Blaqbonez, Odumodublvck refused to disclose when they had started dating, further escalating the tension between them.

    Blaqbonez recounts his first conversation with Odumodublvck

    Blaqbonez also recalled another conversation with Odumodublvck after the situation came to light.

    “Then he calls me, and this time I pick up the call. I’m like ‘bro, what’s our problem’, then he says ‘you dey disturb my babe’,” he said.

    Blaqbonez added that Odumodublvck sent him another message about five minutes later asking, “when last una f#ck?”

    Blaqbonez’s team has also shared a screenshot of the WhatsApp conversation between the two rappers, providing a record of the exchange described during the interview.

    Blaqbonez’s account offers his explanation of how the feud began and provides further context around the tension between the two rappers.

  • Davido says Wande Coal asked for his number weeks before their “Come My Way” spat

    Davido says Wande Coal asked for his number weeks before their “Come My Way” spat

    Davido has revealed that Wande Coal had been trying to reach him weeks before their recent exchange over the unreleased “Come My Way” collaboration.

    Speaking during a TV interview shortly after the artists traded words on X, Davido said Wande had asked for his phone number about two weeks earlier. He said he instructed the person who received the request not to share it.

    Davido also showed a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation dated July 22. In the exchange, someone informed him that Wande had been asking for his number and asked whether they should give it to him.

    https://x.com/afrobeatshead/status/2089752181922496592?s=46

    According to Davido, he declined and said Wande was “acting like a baby.”

    The revelation comes after the two artists publicly disagreed over “Come My Way”, a collaboration that gained attention through its unreleased snippet.

    Davido previously explained that Wande had contacted him to record a verse for the song, but that he did not agree with the proposed plan to release Wande’s version first and add his contribution later as a remix.

    Wande responded that Davido was trying to dictate the release of a song that was not his, adding that the song had already done well without him.

    The exchange then became more personal, with Davido calling Wande “Mr Little 🍆” and Wande responding with “Mr. Toto beggar 😂.”

    Davido’s latest comments add another layer to the disagreement, suggesting that Wande had attempted to establish direct contact before the exchange played out publicly.

  • Davido and Wande Coal trade words over unreleased “Come My Way” collaboration

    Davido and Wande Coal trade words over unreleased “Come My Way” collaboration

    Davido and Wande Coal have exchanged words on X over the unreleased collaboration “Come My Way”, revisiting a snippet that has circulated online and sparked interest among fans.

    Responding to a post about why the collaboration never materialised as an official release, Davido explained that Wande Coal had initially reached out to him for the song. According to Davido, he recorded his verse after being approached, but disagreed with the proposed release plan.

    “He hit me up to do the song. so I recorded that verse,” Davido wrote. “I think he wanted to drop it first then drop my own as a remix & I was like no oh, I didn’t record it as a remix. It would have been nice sha.”

    Wande Coal responded to Davido’s explanation, disputing the idea that Davido should have had a say in how the song was released.

    “Song wey no be your own you wan dictate release plan. That song f#kin did well without you on it bruv!!!” Wande Coal wrote.

    The exchange then became more personal, with Davido replying, “No vex Mr Little 🍆.”

    Wande Coal responded: “No vex too Mr. Toto beggar 😂.”

    The back-and-forth has brought renewed attention to “Come My Way”, a song whose snippet has circulated online without an official release featuring both artists. The exchange also offers some context on why the collaboration between two established Nigerian artists did not move forward.

  • Davido links up with viral “Bus Aunty” Bemi Orojuogun

    Davido links up with viral “Bus Aunty” Bemi Orojuogun

    Davido has linked up with Bemi Orojuogun, popularly known as “Bus Aunty,” following her rise to internet fame.

    Orojuogun became widely known for her videos filmed alongside London’s iconic red double-decker buses, where her simple reactions to passing buses turned into a viral social media format.

    Since then, her online popularity has extended into brand collaborations, with Orojuogun appearing in campaigns for Burberry, H&M, IKEA, Jacquemus, Maybelline, JBL and MAC Cosmetics.

    Davido has now met the viral creator, with the pair appearing together in a video shared online.

    The link-up is notable for Orojuogun, who previously named Davido as her dream Nigerian TikTok collaborator.

  • Summer Walker Covers Victony’s ‘Slick’

    Summer Walker Covers Victony’s ‘Slick’

    Summer Walker has covered Victony’s new single, “Slick,” giving the viral Afrobeats track her own R&B interpretation.

    The American singer shared her cover on her Instagram Story, adding her vocals to the song and putting her own spin on Victony’s latest release.

    Walker’s cover comes just days after Lauryn Hill was spotted vibing to “Slick” during soundcheck ahead of her performance with live band The Compozers last Sunday.

    The moment showed Hill enjoying the song ahead of her performance, while Walker has now taken her appreciation a step further by recording her own version.

    The two moments come as “Slick” continues to gain attention beyond its Afrobeats audience, with the song reaching established international artists from different corners of music.

    For Victony, having artists such as Summer Walker and Lauryn Hill engage with “Slick” offers another indication of the song’s growing reach and its ability to connect across genres and audiences.

  • Yemi Alade says she underwent MRI and CT scan after fall

    Yemi Alade says she underwent MRI and CT scan after fall

    Yemi Alade has revealed that she underwent an MRI and a CT scan after suffering a fall that has left her dealing with persistent pain.

    The singer shared the update in a recent Instagram video, explaining that she has been advised to take it easy with physical activities while she recovers.

    For someone who is known for maintaining an active lifestyle, Alade said the restriction has meant putting some of her usual activities on hold, including boxing.

    She acknowledged that slowing down has been difficult because of how much she enjoys being active, but said she is trying to get past the experience.

    Alade also revealed that she is still experiencing pain, turning around during the video to point to her lower back as the area where she is hurting.

    While she has had to step back from more strenuous activities, Alade said she was advised to try yoga. Parts of the video show her practising yoga with an instructor as she explores a gentler way to remain active.

    She also said she has found that spending time in a jacuzzi helps with the discomfort, with footage showing her relaxing in the water.

    Alade did not disclose the results of her MRI or CT scan, nor did she provide further details about the extent of her injury. For now, she appears to be focusing on recovery, using lower-impact activities and rest while giving herself time to heal.

  • Dapper challenges Shallipopi, T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez to independent audit

    Dapper challenges Shallipopi, T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez to independent audit

    Dapper Music founder Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi has responded to recent allegations from former signees Shallipopi, T.I Blaze and Seyi Vibez, challenging them to submit their disputes to an independent forensic audit.

    In a series of posts on X on Saturday, August 15, Dapper rejected allegations of financial and contractual wrongdoing and said the records needed to establish what happened are available.

    “I have nothing to hide. The records exist. The authorities have them. Let the process establish the truth,” he wrote.

    Dapper also accused his former artists of taking their grievances to social media while disputing his account of their departures.

    “Don’t come online and spill rubbish narratives, & lies, only to mislead the public!” he wrote in another post, adding that the artists “chose to leave” and should “move on.”

    He appeared to direct a separate series of posts at Shallipopi, whom he addressed as “Mr. Elon”, referencing the artist’s 2023 hit “Elon Musk.”

    Dapper claimed that Shallipopi failed to attend a previously scheduled appearance while he was present, questioning the artist’s calls for the matter to be addressed in court.

    He also challenged what he described as conflicting claims about their contractual relationship.

    “You claim here that I forged your signature, but in your public statement in 2024, you claimed that you were pushed into a deal with Dapper Digital. Which is it???” he wrote.

    Shallipopi ended his agreements with Dapper Music and Dvpper Digital in December 2024, alleging a breach of trust, financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency. Among his claims was that Dapper Music had pushed him into a publishing arrangement with Dvpper Digital, which he said was owned by the same person or persons behind Dapper Music.

    Dapper is now asking the parties to move the dispute away from social media and into an independent examination of the relevant financial records and contracts.

    He said an audit had already been conducted by what he described as a reputable company and suggested commissioning another review if there were still questions over the accounts.

    “We already did an audit from a reputable company! Surprise Surprise who owes who?” he wrote.

    Dapper then named several accounting and legal firms, including KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, Templers, Aluko & Oyebode, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, suggesting that any of them could be engaged to conduct a forensic review.

    “Let them run a forensic analysis and interpret both the accounts and the contract for us, and tell you I cheated you?!” he wrote.

    His comments come as disputes between Dapper and several former artists have resurfaced, with allegations involving contractual terms, financial dealings and the handling of artists’ catalogues. Dapper has consistently disputed claims of wrongdoing and previously maintained that its artist agreements were entered into with transparency and legal representation available to the artists.

    The latest exchange leaves the central financial and contractual questions unresolved, but Dapper’s proposed audit could provide an independent way of examining the competing claims if the parties agree to one.

  • Seyi Vibez calls out Hilda Baci amid ongoing dispute with Dapper Music

    Seyi Vibez calls out Hilda Baci amid ongoing dispute with Dapper Music

    Seyi Vibez has called out chef Hilda Baci in a series of posts on X as his dispute with his former label boss Dapper Music continues.

    Seyi Vibez and Dapper Music parted ways in September 2024 after the singer had been signed to the label. Hilda Baci has been in a long-term relationship with Dapper.

    In one of his posts, Seyi Vibez alleged that Hilda Baci’s BBL was funded with income generated from the catalogues of artists signed to Dapper Music. He did not provide evidence for the allegation.

    In another post, the singer alleged that he nearly died after eating food prepared by Hilda Baci. He also did not provide evidence to support the claim.

    https://x.com/afrobeatshead/status/2088256454532706456?s=46

    The posts came on the same day that T.I Blaze, another artist signed to Dapper Music, publicly accused the label of licensing his intellectual property without his agreement. T.I Blaze did not provide further details about the alleged licensing arrangement in the post.

    The separate allegations have added to the ongoing public criticism surrounding Dapper Music and its dealings with artists on its roster.